Window blind



Oct. 11, 1938. R. c.-PRATT wINnow BLIND 1 Filed May 2l, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l R. C. PRATT wINDow BLIND oct. 11, 1938.

, Filed May 2l, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Paiemed oei. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES WINDOW BLIND Raymond C. Pratt, Chicago, Ill., assigner to H. B. Dodge and Company, Chica-go, Ill., a corpora tion of Blinos Application May 21, 1936, Serial No. 31,800

18 Claims.

This invention relates to Window blinds, more particularly blinds of the transverse slat type.

The invention has for an object the provision of a window blind having transverse slats extending wholly or partly across the window and iixed in position adjacent the window, theslats thereof being held securely against accidental displacementY but being readily removable for cleaning or the like.

Another object of this invention is in the provision of improved supporting means and slats so constructed and arranged that only a minimum of standardized parts must be kept in stock in order to readily install aiwindow blind of any general size or outline. v

A further object of the invention is the provision of a Window blind having a plurality of removable slats so arranged to give the greatest ornamental eifectto the window, permit removability of the slats from their supports, provide for the proper illuminating eiTect with respect to the position of the slats, and allow for easy and instant removal of the slats for cleaning purposes and otherwise, as well as to permit ready erection of the slats in place.

These objects and other objects which will hereinafter appear are obtained by the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

30 A window blind and support therefor embodyr ing the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a View in:y elevation of a blind constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section-al view of a portion of the blind and supporting means of Fig. 1 on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the supporting members or clips and the base with which such member is used;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in perspective of the supporting member or clip shown in Fig. 3 apart from the base member;

. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the base poses is formed of a series of transverse slats whichv are intended to form a more or less permanent part of the decoration of the room in which they are situated. Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1A to 7 thereof,

there is shown a blind which comprises a plurality lof long slats ,I0 (Fig. l) mounted within a window frame I I, and below the long slats groups of shorter slats I2 which extend only part way across the window, leaving an opening at the center of the window. The slats are carried onv series of supports or arms I3 which extend upwardly into the room at an angle of fifty or sixty degrees from the horizontal. Each slat generally is parallel to each other slat.

.As shown in Fig. 2 each arm I3 is one arm of a substantially V-shaped m'emben i4. Another arm I5 of the il-shaped member is adapted to lie within a channel or base member I 6 which provides a base for supporting the members I4 in position, usually with the arms l5 vertical and the arms I3 extending away therefrom into the room. At the top of each arm l5 a -bent tab I1 provides aplatform upon which the bottom of the V-shaped member I4 next above will rest when the members are inserted in the channel I6.

Above the top surface of the arm I3 is a tongue I8 which extends first away from the arm I3 and then substantially in the same direction as arm i 3. The slat I0 or I2 is provided with a 'h ole I9 adapted to receive the tongue I8.

Just above the junction of arms I3 and I5 the material of arm I5 is bent inwardly toward arm I3 in a` loop 20 which serves to resist the possible movement of the lower edge 2| ofthe slat I2 so that the slat can not be removed from the tongue I8 by rotating the edge 2| upward, but onlylby moving the slat longitudinally of the arm I3 while at the same time lifting the entire slat.

The V-shapedmember I4 is secured in the channel I6 by projections or keys 22 which engage beneath th'e inwardly turned edges 23 of the channel I6.

In the form of device shown in Figure '1 a modified slat 24 is used, comprising a top facing 25, an under body 26, and a metal sheath 21. The facing 25 provides an unbroken surface which may be painted or otherwise decorated. The modified slat 24 is used with a V-shaped member 28 similar in every respect to-the V-shaped member I4 except that its tongue 29 may be shorter than tongue I8 and may be straight. A hole in under body 26 receives tongue 29. A corresponding hole through sheath 21' has its upper Wallprotruding below the upper wallof the hole through the unde'r body 26 and provides a catch to prevent accidental displacement of the slat. Also since the slat 24 maybe thicker than the slat I2 the loop 30, corresponding to the loop 20 in the V-shaped member I4, is further removed from the slat supporting arm 3|, corresponding to the arm I3. The other parts of the modified member 28 are the same as in the member I4 first described.

Two or more channel members I6 are secured within a window frame I I in any desired manner, as for instance by the use of screws 32 which may extend into the window frame or into blocks secured to the window frame. Alternatively angle irons may be used, secured to the window frame and to the channel member I6, or the end of the channel member itself may be bent over and used as an angle iron. At the bottom of each channel member I6 an inwardly extending tongue 33 provides a botto-m stop to determine the lowermost position of the slats I2.l In the window blind illustrated in Figure 1 six channel members I6 are used as is indicated by the six lines of arms I3. In the positions indicated at 34, 35, 36, and 31 the channel members I6 extend from top to bottom of the window and are fastened at both ends. In positions 38 and 39 the channel members I6 are secured only at the top of the window and extend there-below only part way across the window. By such arrangement of supports the slats IIJ and I2 are firmly supported and are prevented from sagging. The slats once in place on the arms I3 will not be blown off or be accidentally-knocked oft', but may be readily removed for cleaning the slats -or the window by merely lifting them in aV general upward direction.

The installation of the blind in the window may be made by cutting channel members to the required length, inserting the V-shaped members I4 or 28 into them and fastening them in place within the Window frame II. The slats I0 and I2 are then readily placed on the arms I3. rI'he installation may be completedwithout making up special pieces as the channel member may be prepared in long pieces and cut to fit the particular needs. The several V-shaped members I4 or 28 are completely interchangeable and need not be inserted in the channel members in any particular order, the only requirement being that they be right side up.

In Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, there is shown a Venetian blind similar in many characteristics to the blind described in Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, but there is shown a different means for supporting the slats. Instead of deforming the supports or arms I3, as indicated particularly in Fig. 4, the supporting arm I3 may be in the form designated generally by the numeral 5I), Figs. 9 to 11. Each supporting member or arm I3 comprises a relatively straight or vertical portion 5I which is bent at 52 to provide the inclined portion 53. The straight portion 5I is provided at its upper surface with a bent-over ledge or ange 54 which acts in all respects'for the same purpose as the flange I1 previously.described. Projections 55 are formed in the straight portion 5I and co-operate with the supporting channel I6. The projections 55 are substantially the same and are for the same purpose as the projections or keys 22 previously described. The bottom por.- tion 53 of the member designated generally by the numeral 50 is provided with a turned bottom lip 56 to support the lower edge of a slat 51, Fig. 9. A tongue 58, similar to the tongue I8, is struck from the body of the portion 53 and is adapted to engage a hole 59 formed in the slat.

the slats are shown in one position, while in Figs.

8 to 11, inclusive, they are shown inclining downwardly instead of upwardly. The slat suspension means shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, is often preferable where ood lights are used in the window. The slats cause the light to be properly diffused, whereas in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8, particularly in Fig. 2, the rays of light from the flood lights would pass through 'the slats and illuminate the sidewalk outside. The invention therefore contemplates the removable suspension of slats and the supporting of slats in the various horizontal but inclined positions depending upon the dressing of the window or whether or not the flood lighting system is employed.

This invention thus results in an improved window blind of wide, convenient, and economical I applicability. It is to be understood that the embodiment disclosedherein is merely illustrative and that many modifications may be made in the device herein disclosed without departing from the true scope of the invention.

What'is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Attaching means for window blind slats comprising a channel member iixedly secured with respect to the window, and ,clips seated removably in said channel and removably supporting the slats.

2. In a support for a window,blind slat, a base member, 'and a clip comprising a strap of metal having a leg adapted to engage the base member for support thereby, and a leg extending at an angle to said rst leg, said second leg having a tongue extending from the face thereof opposite said firstleg.

3. A clip for supporting a window blind slat and adapted for co-operation with a base member, comprising a strap of metal having a leg adapted to engage the base member for support thereby, and a leg extending at an angle to said first leg, said second leg having a tongue extending from the face thereof opposite said first leg and in the same general direction as said second leg.

4. In combination, a base member, a clip for co-operation with the base member comprising a V-shaped strap of metal having a legr adapted to engage said base member for support thereby and a leg extending at an angle to said first leg, said second leg having a tongue extending from zioY ler,

the face thereof nearest said first leg and in the same general direction as said second leg, and a slat having van aperture therein adapted to receive and hook over said tongue.

5. In combination, a base member, a clip for (zo-operation with the base member comprising a V-shaped strap of metal having a leg adapted to engage said,base member for support thereby and a leg extending at an angle to said rst leg, said second leg having a tongue extending from the face thereof nearest said rst leg and in the same general direction as said second leg, said rst leg having a loop extending towardl the second leg and narrowing a portion of the space 'between the rst and second legs, and a slot having an aperture therein adapted to receive said tongue and hook thereover, the movement of the bottom edge of said slat being restricted by said loop to prevent accidental displacement of said slat from said tongue.

6. A clip for supporting a window blind slat and adapted for cooperation with a base member, comprising a generally V-shaped member having one leg thereofy adapted to removably engage the base member for support thereby and the other leg having means thereon to removably engage the window blind slat, the lirst named leg being bent inwardly in a loop at a p oint near the junction of the two legs whereby to additionally7V restrict movement of the slat.

7. In combination, a base member,` a vclip for v adapted to t on the upper surface of said leg and about said tongue.-

8. A slat for a window blind, comprising an imperforate top facing, an under bodyhaving an y aperture therein, and a metal sheath `about said under body and having an aperture corresponding with the aperture in said under body.

9. A slat for a window blind, comprising an imperforate top facing, and an apertured under body.

10. A window blind comprising an elongated support, slat supporting means removably secured to said support, said slat supporting means having a rigid,l inclined supporting surface extending outwardly from said support, and slats removably 'positioned on the inclined supporting surface and residing substantially flatwise thereof for support thereby.

11.11 window blindA comprising a support, a clip member removably mounted in said support, a slat, an inclined arm on said clip for supporting the slat, said slat having a hole provided therein, and a tongue on the inclined arm and adapted to be received in said hole in the slat to support the slat.

12. A blind comprising a supporting channel, a clip slidably mounted in the channel, an arm extending at an angle from'the clip and integral therewith, a slat supported on the arm, and interiitting means between the slat and thearm to support said slat. v

13. A blind comprising a supporting channel, a clip slidably mounted in the channel, an arm extending at an angle from the clip and integral therewith, a slat supported on the arm, intertting means between the slat and the arm to support said s'lat, and a ledge turned from y gaging said supporting means to support the slat.

15. In a window blind, a longitudinally ex.-

tending base member, a clip slidably supported i by said base member for free movementlongitudinally thereof, said base member restraining the clip laterally with respect to the base member, a laterally extending portion on said clip providing slat supporting means, and a slat having a portion engaging said slat supporting means whereby to support said slat on the clip.

16. In a window blind, a substantially vertically extending channel member, a plurality of l clips slidably supported by said channel member for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, said clips being arranged in stacked relationship -in the channel member, engagingl means on each clip, and means on each adjacent clip to cooperate with said engaging means whereby to support and position each superposed adjacent clip longitudinally with respect to the channel member. j

' 17. .In a support for a window blind slat, a base member comprising a channel and a clip comprising-a strap of metal having a leg slidably mounted in the channel and residing generally longitudinally thereof for -support thereby, and a leg extending at an angle to said first leg for supporting the slat.

18. In a support for a window blind slat, a

base member; and a .clip comprising a generally V-sh'aped member having one leg thereof vadapted to removably engage the base member for support thereby and the other leg having means thereon to removably engage the window blind slat, the first named leg rhaving a portion extending inwardly it a point near the junction ofthe two legs whereby to additionally restrict movement of the slat.

RAYMOND C. PRA'TT.` 

